Strategies for Reducing Moisture Content in Forest Residues at the Harvest Site

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anil Raj Kizha ◽  
Han-Sup Han ◽  
Jeffrey Paulson ◽  
Anil Koirala
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Biomass Conversion ◽  
Market Price ◽  
Timber Harvest ◽  
Biomass Energy ◽  
Forest Residues ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Conversion Technologies ◽  
Harvest Site

Abstract. The moisture content (MC) of biomass derived from forest residues can pose a challenge to biomass utilization. It plays a significant role in determining the cost of transportation and subsequent market price. Additionally, emerging biomass conversion technologies, such as gasification, torrefaction, and briquetting, have very narrow specifications for the MC (e.g., <15%) in their feedstocks. The goal of this study was to develop strategies for reducing moisture content by evaluating different arrangement patterns of forest residues and its effect on MC reduction at the harvest site. The study compared four different arrangement patterns including criss-cross, teepees, traditional piling (processor piled), and scattered residues in three different timber harvest units in northern California. Two of the arrangement patterns (criss-cross and processor piled) were also covered with a plastic cover. Samples were collected from each treatment using a transect method and were recorded for 12 months. There was an overall drop of MC from 52% (freshly cut) to 12% between all arrangements over the study period. The cost of construction per pile, averaged $37, $41, and $48 for teepees, criss-cross, and processor piles, respectively. Even though, there was no significant difference in MC reduction between piles (except scattered), each pile arrangement of forest residues directly affected biomass feedstock operations, logistics, and costs. Keywords: Feedstock quality, Logging slash, Transect sampling method, Woody biomass energy.

scholarly journals PENGARUH KADAR AIR TERHADAP NILAI WARNA CIE PADA GULA SEMUT

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 213
Author(s):  
Hary Kurniawan
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Crystalline Form ◽  
B Values ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Palm Sugar ◽  
Colour Changes ◽  
Colour System ◽  
L Value ◽  
The Cost

Colour is one of the essential attributes as product quality criteria that determine the acceptance of a product by consumers. Granulated palm sugar is a crystalline form, which is hygroscopic. The purpose of this study was to study the colour changes through the CIELab (L, a and b) colour system to the changes in the moisture content of granulated palm sugar during storage. Changes in the values of L, a and b were observed during storage at 30oC and 76% RH. The results showed that the moisture content of granulated palm sugar increased from 3.84% wb to 8.40% wb for 10 hours of storage. The L value tends to decrease with an increasing water content which causes it to turn dark brown. While the cost of a tends to increase with increasing moisture content, the colour of the granulated palm sugar to reddish. The same thing happened to the value of b, which increases with the moisture content of granulated palm sugar and causes it tends to yellowish. Thus the change in ant sugar moisture content gives a significant difference to the L, a and b values during storage.

scholarly journals Waste To Wisdom: Utilizing Forest Residues for the Production of Bioenergy and Biobased Products

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han-Sup Han ◽  
Arne Jacobson ◽  
E.M. (Ted) Bilek ◽  
John Sessions
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Conversion ◽  
Forest Biomass ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Biobased Products ◽  
Forest Residues ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Conversion Technologies

The Waste to Wisdom project was part of the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) and funded by the Department of Energy (DE-EE0006297) at an amount of $5.8 million. Our interdisciplinary research team, consisting of academics, business professionals, and land managers, worked together for about four years (September 2013 to December 2017) to: 1) conduct field-based experiments to develop innovative tools and systems that improve the economics, accessibility, and production of quality feedstocks from forest residues, 2) develop and test stand-alone in-woods or near-the-forest biomass conversion technologies (BCTs) for the production of biochar, torrefied wood, and briquettes, and 3) perform analyses to evaluate the economic feasibility of commercial deployment of BCTs and to quantify the life cycle economic and environmental benefits of utilizing forest residues with BCTs for the production of bioenergy and bioproducts. The research papers presented in this Special Issue cover key aspects of the research efforts and findings made by the project team. We encourage the audience to visit the project web site (http://wastetowisdom.com/) to learn more about the team’s research on feedstock development, biomass conversion technologies, and the financial and environmental benefits of utilizing forest residues for production of bioenergy and biobased products. Keywords: Air quality, Biomass conversion technology, Forest harvesting, Woody biomass.

Properties of Gliricidia Wood (Gliricidia sepium) lntercropped with Cocoa (Theobroma cocoa) in Malaysia

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Mohd Helmy Ibrahim ◽  
Mohd Nazip Suratman ◽  
Razali Abd Kader
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Specific Gravity ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Wall Thickness ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Gliricidia Sepium ◽  
Cell Wall Thickness ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Lumen Diameter ◽  
Significant Difference

Trees planted from agroforestry practices can become valuable resources in meeting the wood requirements of many nations. Gliricidia sepium is an exotic species introduced to the agricultural sector in Malaysia mainly for providing shade for cocoa and coffee plantations. This study investigates its wood physical properties (specific gravity and moisture content) and fibre morphology (length, lumen diameter and cell wall thickness) of G. sepium at three intervals according to age groups ( three, five and seven years of ages). Specific gravity (0.72) was significantly higher at seven years ofage as compared to five (0.41) and three (0.35) years age group with a mean of 0.43 (p<0.05). Mean moisture content was 58.3% with no significant difference existing between the tree age groups. Fibre diameter (22.4 mm) was significantly lower (p<0.05) for the trees which were three years of age when compared to five and seven years age groups (26.6 mm and 24. 7 mm), respectively. Means of fibre length, lumen diameter and cell wall thickness were 0.83 mm, 18.3 mm, and 6.2 mm, respectively, with no significant differences detected between trees in all age groups. Further calculation on the coefficient of suppleness and runkel ratio suggest that wood from G.sepium may have the potential for insulation board manufacturing and paper making. However, future studies should experiment the utilisation of this species for these products to determine its full potential.

scholarly journals Cost of Management of Diabetes Mellitus: A Pan India Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 097275312199849
Author(s):  
Raghuram Nagarathna ◽  
M Madhava ◽  
Suchitra S Patil ◽  
Amit Singh ◽  
K. Perumal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Noncommunicable Disease ◽  
Cost Of Treatment ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
Cost Of Disease ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Prevalence Of Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major noncommunicable disease. While mortality rates are increasing, the costs of managing the disease are also increasing. The all-India average monthly expenditure per person (pppm) is reported to be ₹ 1,098.25, which translates to an annual expenditure of ₹13,179 per person. Purpose: While a number of studies have gone into the aspect of the cost of disease management, we do not find any study which has pan-India reach. We also do not find studies that focus on differences (if any) between rural and urban areas, age or on the basis of gender. We planned to report the cost of illness (COI) in diabetes individuals as compared to others from the data of a pan-India trial. Methods: Government of India commissioned the Indian Yoga Association to study the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in India in 2017. As part of the questionnaire, the cost of treatment was also captured. Data collected from 25 states and union territories were analyzed using the analysis of covriance (ANCOVA) test on SPSS version 21. Results: There was a significant difference ( P < .05) between the average expenses per person per month (pppm) of individuals with self-reported known diabetes (₹1,357.65 pppm) and others (unknown and/or nondiabetes individuals–₹ 999.91 pppm). Similarly, there was a significant difference between rural (₹2,893 pppm) and urban (₹4,162 pppm) participants and between those below (₹1,996 pppm) and above 40 years (₹5,059 pppm) of age. Conclusion: This preliminary report has shown that the COI because of diabetes is significantly higher than others pointing to an urgent need to promote disease-preventive measures.

PP581 Catastrophic Costs Of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis: Estimation Based On The Cost Of Treatment In China

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (S1) ◽  
pp. 43-43
Author(s):  
Lijun Shen ◽  
Shangshang Gu ◽  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Zhao Liu ◽  
Yuehua Liu
Keyword(s):  
Market Price ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
World Health ◽  
Chinese Patients ◽  
Resistant Tuberculosis ◽  
Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis ◽  
Mdr Tb ◽  
Drug Affordability ◽  
The Cost

IntroductionChina bears a considerably high burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Second-line anti-TB drugs are urgently needed yet domestic MDR-TB drugs are expensive and lack policy support. Patients’ living conditions are closely related to the drug affordability. The national TB prevention programs should play a critical role. The purpose of this study is to measure the cost of treating MDR-TB patients under different treatment schemes and price sources. The results of this study are expected to inform the relevant drug protection policies and provide inputs for further cost-effectiveness analyses.MethodsBased on the treatment plan of China's Multidrug-Resistant Pulmonary Tuberculosis Clinical Path (2012 edition) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Treatment Guide (2018 edition), the treatment costs of MDR-TB were measured under different scenarios. Catastrophic health expenditure was then calculated if the treatment cost exceeds 40 percent of the household's non-subsistence income. National, rural and disposable income per capita in 2018, were used to represent Chinese patients’ affordability.ResultsUnder varied treatment schemes and market price sources in China, the total costs for MDR-TB patients range from 19,401 to 126,703 CNY [2,853 to 18,633 USD] per person. Under current prices, all treatment schemes recommended by the WHO will incur catastrophic costs for Chinese MDR-TB patients. Significant differences were found between rural and urban areas as 52.8 percent of the treatment listed in the 2012 China Guideline would lead to catastrophic cost for rural patients but not urban ones.ConclusionsOur study concludes that the domestic drugs are more expensive than the international purchase price and the treatment of MDR-TB imposes substantial economic burden on patients, especially in the rural areas. The results of the study also indicate that it is urgent for the state to emphasize government responsibility and initiate centralized procurement for price negotiations to reduce the market price of MDR-TB drugs. The urban-rural gap should also be addressed in the design of future policies to ensure the drug affordability for all patients in need.

scholarly journals Backward-forward linear-quadratic mean-field Stackelberg games

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kehan Si ◽  
Zhen Wu
Keyword(s):  
Large Population ◽  
Consistency Condition ◽  
Market Price ◽  
Mean Field ◽  
Mapping Method ◽  
Open Loop ◽  
Stackelberg Games ◽  
Linear Quadratic ◽  
Population System ◽  
The Cost

AbstractThis paper studies a controlled backward-forward linear-quadratic-Gaussian (LQG) large population system in Stackelberg games. The leader agent is of backward state and follower agents are of forward state. The leader agent is dominating as its state enters those of follower agents. On the other hand, the state-average of all follower agents affects the cost functional of the leader agent. In reality, the leader and the followers may represent two typical types of participants involved in market price formation: the supplier and producers. This differs from standard MFG literature and is mainly due to the Stackelberg structure here. By variational analysis, the consistency condition system can be represented by some fully-coupled backward-forward stochastic differential equations (BFSDEs) with high dimensional block structure in an open-loop sense. Next, we discuss the well-posedness of such a BFSDE system by virtue of the contraction mapping method. Consequently, we obtain the decentralized strategies for the leader and follower agents which are proved to satisfy the ε-Nash equilibrium property.

scholarly journals A Threat of Farmers’ Suicide and the Opportunity in Organic Farming for Sustainable Agricultural Development in India

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karthikeyan Mariappan ◽  
Deyi Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Input Cost

Agriculture is the main sources of income for humans. Likewise, agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy. In India, Tamil Nadu regional state has a wide range of possibilities to produce all varieties of organic products due to its diverse agro-climatic condition. This research aimed to identify the economics and efficiency of organic farming, and the possibilities to reduce farmers’ suicides in the Tamil Nadu region through the organic agriculture concept. The emphasis was on farmers, producers, researchers, and marketers entering the sustainable economy through organic farming by reducing input cost and high profit in cultivation. A survey was conducted to gather data. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been used to test the hypothesis regards the cost and profit of rice production. The results showed that there was a significant difference in profitability between organic and conventional farming methods. It is very transparent that organic farming is the leading concept of sustainable agricultural development with better organic manures that can improve soil fertility, better yield, less input cost and better return than conventional farming. The study suggests that by reducing the cost of cultivation and get a marginal return through organic farming method to poor and small scale farmers will reduce socio-economic problems such as farmers’ suicides in the future of Indian agriculture.

scholarly journals Use of hormonal subdoses applied in Bai Hui acupuncture in estrus synchronization protocols for goats

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Oliveira de Souza ◽  
Monna Lopes de Araújo ◽  
Carmo Emanuel Almeida Biscarde ◽  
Claudinéia da Silva Mendes ◽  
Mariana Alves de Andrade Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Estrus Synchronization ◽  
Reproductive Parameters ◽  
Follicular Growth ◽  
Plasma Progesterone ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Estrus Detection ◽  
Detection Coverage ◽  
Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Synchronization Protocol

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of delivering reduced doses of hormones via the Bai Hui acupoint in estrus synchronization in goats. A total of 40 goats received intravaginal sponges with medroxyprogesterone acetate for 7 days. The goats were then randomly distributed into 5 treatment: T1 - application of 132.5 ?g of cloprostenol and 300 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), both by intramuscular injection (IM); T2 - application of 39.75 ?g cloprostenol at the Bai Hui acupoint, and 300 IU of eCG by IM; T3 - application of 132.5 ?g of cloprostenol by IM, and 90 IU of eCG at the Bai Hui acupoint; T4 - application of 39.75?g of cloprostenol and 90 UI of eCG, both in Bai Hui and T5 acupuncture: application of 39.75?g of cloprostenol and 90 UI of eCG, both applied in false acupoint. The goats were subjected to an estrus synchronization protocol and monitored for estrus detection, coverage and evaluation of reproductive parameters to detect entry into estrus. The data were subjected to normality tests, followed by appropriate statistical analyses of each variable. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the percentage of animals in estrus (95.00 ± 11.18%), interval between sponge removal and beginning of estrus (49.72 ± 8.93 h), interval between sponge removal and end of estrus (76.84 ± 11.98 h), duration of estrus (27.08 ± 8.68 h), size of the largest follicle (6.82 ± 0.44 mm), interval between sponge removal and ovulation (78.28 ± 10.82 h), time from ovarian onset to estrus (28.52 ± 5.44 h), follicular growth rate (0.86 ± 0.29 mm/day), number of ovulations (1.32 ± 0.23), plasma progesterone concentration at 7 days after ovulation (10.28 ± 1.65 ng.mL-1), and gestation rate at 30 days after the beginning of estrus (75 ± 12.5%). However, the cost of the synchronization protocol per animal was 43.42% lower in treatments 4 and 5 (30% of the doses) than in treatment 1 (100% of the dose). Ovulation and estrus were efficiently synchronized with the use of 39.75 ?g of sodium cloprostenol and 90 UI of eCG, applied at the Bai Hui acupoint or at a false acupoint.

scholarly journals Cost-Effectiveness of Initial Revision Digit Amputation Performed in the Emergency Department Versus the Operating Room

Hand ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph A. Gil ◽  
Avi D. Goodman ◽  
Andrew P. Harris ◽  
Neill Y. Li ◽  
Arnold-Peter C. Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Operating Room ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Initial Management ◽  
Fingertip Amputation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Initial Procedure ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Cost Effectiveness Threshold

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the comparative cost-effectiveness of performing initial revision finger amputation in the emergency department (ED) versus in the operating room (OR) accounting for need for unplanned secondary revision in the OR. Methods: We retrospectively examined patients presenting to the ED with traumatic finger and thumb amputations from January 2010 to December 2015. Only those treated with primarily revision amputation were included. Following initial management, the need for unplanned reoperation was assessed and associated with setting of initial management. A sensitivity analysis was used to determine the cost-effectiveness threshold for initial management in the ED versus the OR. Results: Five hundred thirty-seven patients had 677 fingertip amputations, of whom 91 digits were initially primarily revised in the OR, and 586 digits were primarily revised in the ED. Following initial revision, 91 digits required unplanned secondary revision. The unplanned secondary revision rates were similar between settings: 13.7% digits from the ED and 12.1% of digits from the OR ( P = .57). When accounting for direct costs, an incidence of unplanned revision above 77.0% after initial revision fingertip amputation in the ED would make initial revision fingertip amputation in the OR cost-effective. Therefore, based on the unplanned secondary revision rate, initial management in the ED is more cost-effective than in the OR. Conclusions: There is no significant difference in the incidence of unplanned/secondary revision of fingertip amputation rate after the initial procedure was performed in the ED versus the OR.

Identification prediction moisture content of Thai coconut sugar (Cocos nucifera L.) using FT-NIR spectroscopy

Food Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 382-385
Author(s):  
D. Thumrongchote
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Cocos Nucifera ◽  
Nir Spectroscopy ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Absorbance Spectrum ◽  
Coconut Tree ◽  
Cocos Nucifera L ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Low Glycemic Index

Coconut sugar is a local sugar from the blossoms of a coconut tree. It has been considered a healthy sugar due to its low glycemic index. There is an attempt to add other sugar to it to lower the cost. Thus, this research aimed to identify Thai coconut sugar and to establish models for predicting the moisture content of coconut sugar by using FT-NIR spectroscopy. Thai coconut sugar samples were purchased from local grocery stores in four provinces, online, and the community market. Their moisture contents were varied and equilibrated for 24 hrs prior to the measurements of moisture and FT-NIR spectra. The results showed that FT-NIR spectra of Thai coconut sugar differ from sucrose, glucose and fructose at the absorbance spectrum of 5379-5011 cm-1 . FT-NIR spectroscopy of 54 known moisture samples of Thai coconut sugar was used to obtain a model to predict moisture content. The predicted equation, using the PLS technique with the Spectrum Quant program, was found to give a standard error of prediction (SEP) 0.077% (less than 0.10%), indicating a non-destructive method of accurately and precisely predicting moisture levels in the coconut sugar. The results obtained suggested that FTNIR spectroscopy has the potential to be used as a tool to identify Thai coconut sugar accurately. It can rapidly predict the moisture content in the sample which will be useful in quality control standards.

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